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Why UM-Flint

What Sets UM-Flint's English Language and Literature (MA) Program Apart?

The MA in English Language and Literature at UM-Flint prepares students to reach their personal and professional goals while becoming lifelong independent thinkers and learners. Our alumni are working in fields such as marketing and communications, social media, copy editing, K-12 education and higher education.

CONVENIENT FORMAT

The MA in English Language and Literature is a part-time program with evening classes held on-campus and some online coursework. This flexible format accommodates the busy lives of students with careers, families, and other obligations.

CHOOSE YOUR FOCUS

As a student in the program, you’ll have the option to tailor your learning to meet your personal and professional goals. You may choose to complete the general degree, or specialize your expertise with a concentration in Writing and Rhetoric or Literature.

MULTI-DISCIPLINARY LEARNING

Explore English language and literature from multiple disciplines and perspectives to broaden your appreciation and understanding. The program’s well-rounded curriculum calls for the historical, theoretical, and methodological research of texts in literature, writing, composition studies, linguistics, and English pedagogy.

AN INTERACTIVE EXPLORATION

Courses challenge you to engage with the language, texts, and theory you’re studying, through original research, presentations, and discussion both in the classroom and online. This active-learning approach deepens your understanding of coursework and its relevance in the world outside of academia.

FACULTY INTERACTION

Learn from active and engaged scholars who are curious, reflective, innovative, accessible, and compassionate. As part of a small cohort, you’ll have ample opportunities to engage one-on-one with these faculty mentors who share a lifelong passion for the subjects they teach.

Courses

Requirements

Completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours, distributed as follows, with an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better. The program must be completed within six consecutive years.

C. Focus Electives (9 credits)One course from each of the following areas:

Literature

ENG 522 - Topics in British Literature to 1800 (3)

ENG 525 - Topics in British Literature since 1800 (3)

ENG 526 - Topics in Post-Colonial Literature (3)

ENG 527 - Topics in Irish and Scottish Literature (3)

ENG 531 - The American Novel I (3)

ENG 532 - The American Novel II (3)

ENG 533 - American Poetry (3)

ENG 534 - American Drama (3)

ENG 537 - Topics in American Literature to 1900 (3)

ENG 538 - Topics in American Literature since 1900 (3)

ENG 539 - Themes in Multicultural American Literatures (3)

ENG 555 - Studies in Genre (3)

ENG 587 - Special Topics in Literature (3)

Linguistics

ENG 507 - Discourse Analysis (3)

ENG 508 - Language and Human Nature (3)

ENG 509 - American English (3)

ENG 549 - History of the English Language (3)

ENG 588 - Special Topics in Linguistics (3)

LIN 520 - Linguistics for Teachers (3)

LIN 521 - First Language Acquisition (3)

Writing

ENG 560 - Topics in Writing and Rhetoric (3)

ENG 561 - Writing and Publishing (3)

ENG 562 - Creative Writing Workshop (3)

ENG 563 - Seminar in Collaborative Writing Theory and Practice (4)*

ENG 566 - Teaching College Composition (3)

ENG 567 - Survey of Modern Composition Theory (3)*

ENG 568 - Basic Writing: Theory and Practice (3)*

*May not also be counted toward theory requirement

D. Additional Electives (15 credits)

Additional courses in English to bring total credit hours to 30

E. Portfolio

Optional Concentration

Students may specialize in one of two concentrations by completing twelve (12) credits as follows. Only one concentration may be completed.

The following courses do not count toward the concentration:

ENG 590 - Directed Study (1-3)

ENG 592 - Thesis I (3)

ENG 593 - Thesis II (3)

Writing and Rhetoric Concentration

A course in rhetorical theory:

ENG 563 - Seminar in Collaborative Writing Theory and Practice (4)

ENG 567 - Survey of Modern Composition Theory (3)

ENG 568 - Basic Writing: Theory and Practice (3)

or

A theory course approved by the program director

Three (3) courses in composition, rhetoric, or creative writing

Literature ConcentrationA course in literary theory:

ENG 570 - Modern Literary Theory (3)

ENG 571 - History of Literary Criticism (3)

ENG 572 - Narrative Theory (3)

or

A theory course approved by the program director

Three (3) courses in literature

Cognate Areas

Where appropriate, and after consultation with an advisor, students may fulfill program requirements with courses from cognate graduate areas such as Education, Social Sciences, and Liberal Studies.

Transfer of Credit

Up to six (6) semester credit hours of graduate credit completed at an accredited institution may be accepted for transfer. Transfers of credit are subject to the approval of the program director. Requests for transferring additional coursework may be made by submitting a petition to the program director.

Additional information on the Master of Arts in English Language and Literature including course descriptions can be found in the catalog.

Statement of Purpose: In 500-800 words, please discuss the intellectual and professional experiences that you bring to the program and your reasons for pursuing an MA in English at the University of Michigan-Flint. The Admissions Committee will be reviewing the content of your statement, as well as using it to assess your writing ability. Focused statements indicating clear goals and familiarity with our program will be given preference.

Three letters of recommendation: Letters should be from people who are familiar with your work in academic or professional contexts, rather than personal ones, and who can comment on your critical thinking skills, your ability to undertake independent projects, and your capacity for collaborating with colleagues.

International students must submit additional documentation. Visit the International Students page for details.

Admission decisions are made by the program director in consultation with the program faculty following the receipt of all application materials.

Application Deadlines

The program has rolling admissions and reviews completed applications each month.

Application deadlines are as follows:

Fall (early deadline*) – May 1

Fall (final deadline) – August 1

Winter – November 15

Spring – March 15

Summer – May 15

*You must apply for admission by the early deadline to be eligible for scholarships, grants, and research assistantships.

International students are required to apply earlier than the deadlines posted here. The final deadlines for international students are May 1 for the fall semester, October 1 for the winter semester, and January 1 for the spring term.

Scott Atkinson, MA

Hometown: Grand Blanc

I have always said I wanted to be a full-time writer who has time to teach, or a full-time teacher who has time to write. Currently I’m a writer who teaches; someday I’d like to see that switch. UM-Flint got me the degree and experience I needed to start teaching and get that career path moving. While in the English program, I focused on teaching writing and my professor, Dr. Jacob Blumner, took a very pragmatic approach to that. He taught my Teaching College Composition class and I also studied independently with him. More than that though, he has continued to offer advice and mentor me as I begin teaching. I think he recognized that I was motivated and has never stopped being a teacher.